Samsung versus Apple: Second Trial Begins in 2013

The 2012 Apple versus Samsung trial in California might be over, but the war is far from ended. Apple has already filed suit against Samsung covering at least 21 newer smartphones, media players, and tablets releases from August 2011 all the way to August 2012.

This new suit not only includes the Galaxy S3, but also the Galaxy Note 10.1. There is even a Google-branded Samsung device on the list- which means that Google might be more actively involved this time around.

The new complaint has Apple stating Samsung has continued to flood the market with cheap clones that infringe on Apple rights. The new patent specifically mentions several utility patents- many of which have to do with Android itself, not Samsung’s own hardware or software modifications.

Most of these devices are no longer sold, but the patent suit isn’t just about potentially banning devices, its about getting money that Apple feels is owed to them from the infringement. The wording of the new suite also makes it clear that they could add new devices as necessary, such as the recently released Galaxy Note 2.

More than likely this is just the beginning of a more direct assault on Android. Taking out Samsung in not one but TWO trials could really destroy vendor confidence in the Android platform, especially if this second lawsuit has to do with patents that all Android devices might be infringing. Scare away the vendors and Android is all-but destroyed.

Will this second suite work out the way the first did? Hard to say, but it’s clear that Apple means war at all costs. Google likely will see this, and more than likely will get involved in a big way this time around. The suite is expected to start in 2013 in California, with Lucy Koh returning as the judge.